Bettman casts doubt on ’22 Olympics
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said time is running out to reach a deal to send players to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, casting doubt on the league’s return to that event after skipping it in 2018.
The league, players’ union, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation continue to negotiate with the Olympics seven months away.
Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Monday night ahead of the Stanley Cup Final opener between the Canadiens and Lightning that ended too late for this edition, that the pandemic and disruption to next season are among the concerns, along with the lack of an agreement.
“We have real concerns about whether it’s sensible,” Bettman said, noting the league will go if a deal can be reached. “We’re getting rather short timeframe.”
Also, the league announced it will hold All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas in 2022.
The Wild will host the Blues in the 13th Winter Classic at Target Field in Minneapolis, on Jan. 1. The Stadium Series will see the Predators hosting the Lightning on Feb. 26 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
The Seattle Kraken will use the Charlotte Checkers as their AHL affiliate for the first season of the newest NHL franchise. The Kraken reached an agreement with the Panthers to share Charlotte as their affiliate for the 2021-22 season. The Kraken have been awarded an AHL franchise in Palm Springs, California, but delays in arena construction have pushed the debut of that team until the fall of 2022.
Cycling: Last-year’s runner-up, Primoz Roglic, tumbled in a crash in Stage 3 of the Tour de France, a few hours after 2018 champion Geraint Thomas also hit the ground. Tim Merlier escaped the chaos and powered to his maiden stage win. The final sprint in Pontivy was disrupted by another crash when Caleb Ewan’s front wheel slid from under him on the final turn. He brought down Peter Sagan with him. Ewan, who won two stages last year, broke his right collarbone and abandoned the race. Mathieu van der Poel kept the yellow jersey.
Golf: The PGA Tour will end its COVID-19 weekly testing program at the end of July, regardless of vaccination status. Starting with the 3M Open in Minneapolis, players will no longer need to produce a negative test before being able to compete. Only players who are unvaccinated and have come in contact with a person who contracted COVID-19 will be required to be tested.
NFL: Four-time Pro Bowl WR Demaryius Thomas announced his retirement after 10 seasons. Thomas, 33, who last played in 2019, said he would retire as a Bronco. The team will honor Thomas during their home opener on Sept. 26 against the Jets, with whom he finished his career.
Soccer: At the European Championship, Switzerland beat France 5-4 in a shootout after a 3-3 draw in the last 16 match. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who missed the group stage to be with his wife for the birth of their daughter, made the decisive save against Kylian Mbappé on the 10th penalty after the previous nine had all been successful. The Swiss next play Spain in the quarterfinals Friday in St. Petersburg. Alvaro Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal scored in extra time to give Spain a 5-3 win over Croatia.